The 2010 Project
The 2nd annual Scrappers Give Thanks project had a goal of assembling 2000 participant-created 4×6 cards into 100 ten page (double-sided) mini albums to be delivered to 10 children’s hospitals across the country. These scrapbook-style mini artworks are full of positive words, happy images, jokes etc. The goal was met and then some... the best part? Printing all of these inspirational cards and knowing each one would help a child somewhere!

YOUare amazing. YOU are inspirational. YOU helped.
Thank YOU to all who participated this year.

The Persnickety Prints team feels honored that we could be apart of such a great effort.

St Jude's Patient of the Month (February)

Nylah

2 years old

Diagnosis: Nylah was found to suffer from Wilms tumor, a solid tumor of the kidney, in spring 2010.

Nylah loves baby dolls and dancing. She isn't one bit shy and loves to have her photograph taken. "Even when she developed a fever, she was the same happy child," said her mother. For weeks, Nylah had a fever on and off, but her energy level and smile never waned. Read more...

For future projects or to find out more about ScrappersGiveThanks.org visit the site here.

Want to HELP with something NOW?
Our good friend, Kristina is raising money for her Mother who has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Why We Fight MS
Having multiple sclerosis means that you may not be able to walk when you wake up. Or that you may suddenly have impaired vision. Or that your memory will fail you for no apparent reason. The symptoms of MS are different, and devastating, for everyone - the only certainty is that it will affect yet another person every hour of every day.

"I am going to be participating in the MS Walk on April 9th in Nashville in honor of my Mom who has multiple sclerosis. My goal is to raise $500 before the walk and so far I have raised $200." -Kristina

Kristina has called in the troops and is giving away some awesome prizes! What does that mean?
1. you donate for a good cause (in this case it is for MS- there will be a cure!)
2. you feel warm fuzzy's
3. AND you are entered to win.. check out the goods
It is a win-win situation here.

February 26, 2011

This is what I am surrounded by... daily.
I have a husband, 3 boys, and Kenny. All boys- all love their bikes. You wonder why I need my job? So that I can retain an ounce of femininity, that's why.
Unfortunately, when it comes to digital layouts, I am restricted to boy stuff, this can be hard to find. Girls are just so much more, dare I say... diverse? Believe me, I know. I hung onto my Gap, inc. job for 10 years, thinking that someday the employee discount would pay off and I could dress my little girl in the endless dresses and coordinating accessories... I still have the dresses, in a bin.

Here is my youngest little monster- Ryder. He thinks he is pretty cool on his bike.

Sometimes I try to keep up with Jon, that counts for something right?

And then there is Kenny, owner of Persnickety Prints, his bike is his wife- I mean, life.

(besides printing the best digital scrapbook layouts in the world!)

Kenny races his bike- alot. He also is kind enough to help out with my little Cub Scout group. He tuned all of their bikes and taught bike safety:)

February 20, 2011

You may have heard us before- but we wanted to say it again- YES, when you upload your images to your Persnickety Prints online account, they are stored there... forever... for free... AND at full resolution. If anything were to go awry with your precious memories, we have got you covered!

We don't require you to order a print, or even an image CD to get your images back in your hands... it is as easy as 1...2...3.

February 17, 2011

Why do we give you such wonderful goodies you ask? Well, because we would hope that you would feel a small inclination to maybe have us print them. Just a thought.

This Persnickety Prints Retro Kit reminds me of the disco song that Gloria Gainer performed back in 1979. It is an all time Karaoke Favorite, and the lyrics tend to hit home at times.

First I was afraid

I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live
without you by my side
But I spent so many nights
thinking how you did me wrong
I grew strong
I learned how to carry on
and so you're back
from outer space
I just walked in to find you here
with that sad look upon your face
I should have changed my stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I had known for just one second
you'd be back to bother me

Go on now go walk out the door
just turn around now
'cause you're not welcome anymore
weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye
you think I'd crumble
you think I'd lay down and die
Oh no, not I
I will survive
as long as i know how to love
I know I will stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
and I'll survive
I will survive

Of course, the next verse gets even better, and I get all worked up, so I should stop there. :)
I think we can all relate to this song at some point in our lives and interpret it in our own way.
Here are some layouts created with this "retro" vibe themed kit...

One of my favorite pictures of my little 4 year old, Ryder.

This is a picture of my parents... a year before I was born. They both drove 1969 Volkswagon Bugs. When I turned 16, guess which one I got? The one on the left. It barely went 45 mph, the hub caps always fell off, and I had a unique scent of gasoline after driving, but I loved that car.
My Dad was an artist, always being creative. He cut out the lips, lashes and bow tie to decorate their "his and hers" beatles. My Dad is now crazy, my Mom has cancer, and they are divorced.... back to the theme... "I Will Survive".

This is a Facebook Exclusive Download.
We will post a free Quickpage soon here on the blog for those of you "anti-facebookers".

February 12, 2011

I met Meredith Cardall a few years ago when I was on my journey of finding a quality 12x12 print. Meredith is a designer, and lives about 30 miles north of us here in Utah. She is just amazing at what she does, and has supported me from the beginning.

I am a true believer in giving back, and will always support those who have helped me from the beginning. It wasn't easy getting Persnickety Prints on its feet.
Thank you Meredith!

February 11, 2011

The snow here in Utah has been unusually abundant and we’ve had a little more than a cold spell. For two years straight, I’ve been able to avoid putting miles on my indoor trainer. This year, I’ve not been so lucky. There are only a few things worse than riding your bike indoors and going nowhere, and I wouldn’t wish those things on my worst enemy. Luckily, we live only 3½ hours from St. George.St George is located on the very north east corner of the Mojave Desert. This small community is surrounded by beautiful mountains and red sand stone buttes. Basically it’s a mountain biker’s paradise.

It’s a great time to catch up with old friends and spend the weekend in warm weather on pristine desert single track. It was just what I needed to get out of my winter funk.
Also, I was excited to start training for my next 24 hour race coming up in three weeks. Lynda gives everyone a GPS track of the day’s course and everyone rides at their own pace. The problem is that half the riders that show up are professional or semi professional racers, which means the pace is hard and fast. It’s a good thing that I’m not competitive or anything. Needless to say, after 3 days and 17 hours on the bike, I’m totally cooked. It will take at least a day or two before I need another biking fix.

February 4, 2011

Have you seen those cute little tiles around with vinyl lettering?
Why not make your own?
A super cheap and easy way to add some flair to your home, office, trade show booth.... an "arts and crafts" project, gift, you name it! This one cost me $1.35.

Go to your local Home Depot, Lowes, or flooring store-- grab any size porcelain tile (the smoothest works best). There are all sorts of sizes- 12x12, 16x16, 6x6, 4x4... I chose a 6x6.
It was .65¢ at Lowes.
Being Valentines this month- I used a collab kit from Biograffiti and Deena Rutter called "Whole Lotta Love" and created a 6x6 digital square design. (you could make this with a bold design, monthly calendar, family photo, etc.)
So easy! Once I had all of my supplies together, it took about 3 minutes from start to finish.

For demonstration purposes, we printed one 6x6 copy on a top of the line "ink jet" machine with store bought "photo paper". Look at what happens with the red ink...
We hope that by now, you do realize that when we say we use "photographic paper"- it is not this kind of photo paper!
Ink isn't waterproof, smudge, and smear proof!

We use a chemical and light process that embeds your sRGB color profile image into silver halide photographic paper - no ink.
Apply a thick amount of Mod Podge on the bottom of your PERSNICKETY print, and a thin layer on top.
Wait until dry.
Done!

I think it turned out beautiful!

I had the Mod Podge & brush on hand. Purchased the tile and print.

Total Cost: $1.35

(another reason why I love digital! You can purchase a digital kit ONCE and use it over and over! I could make 30 of these for gifts, with the same kit! mmm... love you digital!)